Murphy and Buchanan split from Gordon Cooper Library

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CARBONDALE, Colorado - Marilyn Murphy, the long-term manager of the Gordon Cooper Library here, reportedly resigned her position on Feb. 7 and was followed out the door by Brenda Buchanan, a library assistant.

"Both have chosen to resign," confirmed Amelia Shelley, director of the Garfield County Library District, on Monday. Gordon Cooper is a part of the county library system.

Shelley told the Post Independent that she was prevented from discussing the departure of the two woman in detail, due to "employee confidentiality" rules.

Attempts to reach Murphy and Buchanan on Monday were not successful.

Murphy had been at the library for 20 years, and Buchanan had been working there for about five years, Shelley said, adding that she did not expect the resignations.

She said she had no idea the two would be leaving the library until "just last week," and that the district is getting set to advertise for replacements for the two positions.

Shelley said the salary for Murphy's position starts at around $47,000 a year and could go higher depending on the experience of the applicant.

"We really appreciate all their years of service," she said of both women. "We're sorry they chose now to leave."

Shelley said the departure of the two women had nothing to do with the impending opening of a new library facility in Carbondale. She said the library still is scheduled to open in July.

Shelley said there have been no other personnel changes in the district recently, although Karol Sacca, librarian at the Parachute branch for the past five years, is expected to retire soon.

Prior to the Parachute job, Sacca was librarian at Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale, Shelley said.